BACK

HOME

'A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF CHURRASCARIA
(pronounced "shu-has-karia")'

In the early 1900's, German and Italian immigrants settled in Southern Brazil in the area known as the Pampas, or High Plains. The Pampas soil is rich and fertile - the land is and has been ideal for the raising livestock as well as the harvesting of bountiful of fruits and vegetables.

After the long awaited harvest of plentiful gifts from the nature, the new settlers would gathered twice, as did the Pilgrims and Indians centuries before in North America, to celebrate and to show their gratitude for their good fortune from God. Just like the Thanksgiving celebration, fresh fruits and vegetables were prepared and served at a communal table where everyone would participate. Also, tantalizing cuts of beef, chicken, pork and fish would be seasoned and barbecued on skewers over open fire pits by the ranchers, who were known as gauchos. They then carried the freshly cooked meats to the tables, and sliced juicy portions off the skewers on the plates. Each was free to choose from any or all of the meats.

As the population grew, the people in the Pampas began opening restaurants based on the same traditional feasts, offering the same style food as did the gauchos, but with the added quality of European style service. The concept caught on quickly, and has now become a permanent fixture of Brazil. This style of restaurant is known as churrascaria, suitable for all occasions.